Practical projects for Gulf

 NINE communities in Gulf will improve  education, health and the livelihood of their people with an Australian support of K487,800.

The communities received grants for development projects through the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen programme, a partnership between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia funded by AusAID. 

Head of Australian aid in the country, Stuart Schaefer said the communities had developed ideas, including teacher training, refurbishment of an aid post, income generation opportunities for women and a sawmill project that would make a difference in the everyday lives of people.  

“They are taking ownership of their own development, building partnerships and are investing in these projects by contributing 10% of the costs,” Schaefer said.

Australia will provide K73,568 to the remote community of Bema, 158km north-east of Kerema, to help youths to mill and sell timber and renovate the health centre, classrooms and staff houses.

Bema has no direct road link and is only accessible by plane or a two-and-a-half-hour walk.

Bema Parish community chairman Fr Andrew Gambu said the project would create opportunities for locals to generate income from locally grown timber. 

“This project is not only building and renovating structures, it is an opportunity to build and mend the lives of many people in this remote and usually forgotten community,” Gambu said.

Other grant recipients are::

• Community Partner Group (K62,700) for a civic awareness workshop on natural resource management and basic rights law;
• Diocese of Kerema Catholic Education Service (K57,600) for elementary teacher training;
• Koravake ward 7 development committee (K84,800) for a poultry project; 
• Lepokela board of management (K77,500) for a classroom
• Meii Salvation Army Home League (K85,500) to teach cooking and sewing skills for the women in Meii village;
• Nawi Hibuka Women’s Group (K36,200) for a poultry project for women;
• Poliki Youth Group (K91,200) for the refurbishment of a community aid post’
• Pukari Ward Development Committee (K98,100) for a water supply, health, sanitation and hygiene project.